31 Days To Stress Less

Have you ever heard of Christ-Centered Slow Living?   Are you feeling the need to slow down, and seek quiet, rest, and restoration? Are you overwhelmed with life?  May I gently encourage you to give 31 Days To Stress Less a try?  You are not alone.  Let’s take a look at some stats that clearly show that we all need to quit busy and slow our mind body and spirit down.

Here are just a few stats…

• Today in the US. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that In 2019, there were an estimated 51.5 million adults aged 18 or older diagnosed with mental illness. This number represented 20.6% of all U.S. adults.
• In another study, this one about theological beliefs, researchers from Ligonier Ministries asked self-professing Christians to respond to a series of statements related to classic, historic Christian doctrine. In every answer offered, related to these theological beliefs, young people between the ages of 18 and 34 consistently held heretical views. Young people who identify themselves as Christians, are far more likely to hold views that aren’t Christian.
• Now from the CDC, 6 in 10. adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease. 4 in 10. Adults in the U.S. have two or more. Which are our nation’s leading causes of death and disability.

Let’s start with the truth… 

For we know, brothers and sisters

loved by God, that he has chosen you, 

because our gospel came to you not simply

with words but also with power,

with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.    

1 Thessalonians 1: 4&5

Did you know there are three kinds of stress and not all stress is bad for you?  Knowing which one you are dealing with will help you approach a godly lifestyle.  The American Psychology Association describes it like this.

Acute Stress

Acute stress is the most common type of stress. Acute stress is the most common form of stress. It comes from the demands and pressures of the recent past and anticipated demands and pressures of the near future. Acute stress is thrilling and exciting in small doses, but too much is exhausting. A fast run down a challenging ski slope, for example, is exhilarating early in the day.

Episodic Acute Stress

When acute stress happens frequently, it’s called episodic acute stress. There are those, however, who suffer acute stress frequently, whose lives are so disordered that they are chaotic and in crisis. They’re always in a rush, but always late. They take on too much, have too many irons in the fire, and can’t organize the slew of self-inflicted demands and pressures clamoring for their attention. They seem perpetually in the clutches of acute stress.

Chronic Stress

If acute stress isn’t resolved and begins to increase or lasts for long periods, it becomes chronic stress. While acute stress can be thrilling and exciting, chronic stress is not. This is the grinding stress that wears people down day after day. Chronic stress destroys your body and mind. It wreaks havoc because it is long-term. It’s the stress of poverty, of dysfunctional families, or a despised job or career.

Stress management expert Cynthia Ackrill, MD says that studies indicate that stress is responsible in some way for a whopping 70 to 90 percent of doctor visits, either directly or by aggravating an ongoing medical condition Stress and the hormones it causes the body to produce can set off a cascade of inflammation and decreased immune function.

Precious one, it’s time to take

the challenge,

STRESS-LESS this month!

31 Days To Stress Less gently encourages you to add one stress-relieving activity a day.  An easy way to start a self-care routine or you can involve your family.  Learning how to manage stress is a life skill we all need to learn and grow in.

At the end of the month, evaluate what activities benefited you the most, and intentionally add them to your daily schedule.  Remember to be patient with yourself as you are learning, God is patient with us and we need to give ourselves the grace that is extended to us as children of God.

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YOUR TURN…

Comment below, what activities, practices, and disciplines do you incorporate into your life that allow you to stress less?

Peacefully Yours,